The average fuel economy of vehicles being traded in under the program has been 15.8 miles per gallon, according to the latest government data, while the fuel economy of vehicles purchased has averaged 25 mpg, a 58% improvement.

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I still think it apparent that there are compelling economic and environmental benefits behind the cash for clunkers program. If each of these new cars used on average one gallon of gasoline a day, today 360000 gallons of gasoline would get us as far as 568800 gallons of gas used to get us. Which is benefiting us today as well as tomorrow.

The average fuel economy of vehicles being traded in under the program has been 15.8 miles per gallon, according to the latest government data, while the fuel economy of vehicles purchased has averaged 25 mpg, a 58% improvement.

Click to expand...

I still think it apparent that there are compelling economic and environmental benefits behind the cash for clunkers program. If each of these new cars used on average one gallon of gasoline a day, today 360000 gallons of gasoline would get us as far as 568800 gallons of gas used to get us. Which is benefiting us today as well as tomorrow.

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And yet:

Fifty-four percent (54%) of Americans oppose any further funding for the federal cash for clunkers program which encourages the owners of older cars to trade them in for newer, more fuel-efficient ones.

A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone survey finds that just 33% of adults think Congress should authorize additional funding to keep the program going now that the original $950 million allocated for it has run out. Thirteen percent (13%) are not sure.

These numbers are virtually identical to the findings in mid-June just after Congress first approved the plan when 35% favored it while 54% were opposed.

Men favor continuation of the program more than women. African-Americans like it more than whites. Lower-income Americans, not surprisingly, are more supportive of it than those who earn more.

Seventy-three percent (73%) of Republicans and 51% of adults not affiliated with either major party are opposed to continuing the cash for clunkers program. Democrats are closely divided over the question.

(Want a free daily e-mail update? If it's in the news, it's in our polls). Rasmussen Reports updates are also available on Twitter.

Fifty-three percent (53%) believe it is at least somewhat likely that the program, which gives rebates up to $4,500 to owners who trade their older cars in, will hurt new car sales next year. Twenty-six percent (26%) say it is very likely.

I still think it apparent that there are compelling economic and environmental benefits behind the cash for clunkers program. If each of these new cars used on average one gallon of gasoline a day, today 360000 gallons of gasoline would get us as far as 568800 gallons of gas used to get us. Which is benefiting us today as well as tomorrow.

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At whose expense??

Where do you think the money for the handouts comes from, the Tooth Fairy?

I still think it apparent that there are compelling economic and environmental benefits behind the cash for clunkers program. If each of these new cars used on average one gallon of gasoline a day, today 360000 gallons of gasoline would get us as far as 568800 gallons of gas used to get us. Which is benefiting us today as well as tomorrow.

Click to expand...

At whose expense??

Where do you think the money for the handouts comes from, the Tooth Fairy?

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True the tooth fairy's budget is a little too small for a $3 billion program. But if such a program results in things like lower demand for gasoline, a diminished dependency on "foriegn oil," and better environmental quality you and I benefit as well even if we dont receive the $4500 subsidy.

Well you're assuming that the cars are perfectly good and I am assuming that many may be starting to get crappy. But the fact is that they are no more recent than 2001 and get pretty shitty gas mileage. We're talking about cars that are getting to be over a decade to 25 years old. What is the average "lifespan" of a car in the United States, especially all those 90s SUVs that seem to be extremely popular trade ins?

And what would the energy costs to manufacure and deliver cars be in relation to the energy savings overtime?

Instead of destroying the 'clunkers' (I saw some of these clunkers; a lot of them were nice cars), they should have donated them to Purple Heart or some other organization for those who don't have any means of transportation.

I still think it apparent that there are compelling economic and environmental benefits behind the cash for clunkers program. If each of these new cars used on average one gallon of gasoline a day, today 360000 gallons of gasoline would get us as far as 568800 gallons of gas used to get us. Which is benefiting us today as well as tomorrow.

Click to expand...

At whose expense??

Where do you think the money for the handouts comes from, the Tooth Fairy?

Click to expand...

True the tooth fairy's budget is a little too small for a $3 billion program. But if such a program results in things like lower demand for gasoline, a diminished dependency on "foriegn oil," and better environmental quality you and I benefit as well even if we dont receive the $4500 subsidy.

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Really? You believe this? This program had NOTHING to do with the environment and everything to do with trying to boost sales for GM and Chrysler. As to the lower demand for gasoline.. if that happens be ready to pay higher gasoline taxes to make up the federal budget difference.

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